We are travelers with a mission. Our mission is to circle the globe and TAKE YOU WITH US! That’s what Backpack Me is all about.

Through technology and our knowledge of how to use it, we want you to come with us on a magical trip, around the world – for free.

Ashray

I like to call myself an entrepreneur and world traveler. I started a gaming website when I was 13, and today it’s one of the largest gaming websites on the planet. I also have a number of other projects online and this makes me someone who travels and works at the same time.

I grew up in India and my parents loved to travel. We traveled all over this beautiful and enormous country. Then I moved to Dubai. I traveled a bit around the Middle East and Asia during my time there. After living in Dubai for 5 years I got sick of the superficial lifestyle, the horrible summers and the obvious disparities. I decided to take my sweetheart and leave on a jet plane – that makes me better than John Lennon at least ;)

I decided to take my sweetheart and leave on a jet plane.

So here we are. Traveling around the world has been a dream of mine and now I am living it. But I want to make something awesome, something inspiring, and that something is going to be Backpack Me.

Zara

I am half Portuguese and half Spanish but, obviously, belonging to two countries wasn’t enough for me. I have always wanted to travel around the world but, as many, always thought money would be an issue.

Before we sailed out to explore the world around us, I was working as a freelance production manager in Dubai, producing mainly TV ads and some documentaries (unfortunately, way less than ads). To keep myself sane I started a band and we had some pretty cool times in the UAE music scene.

After working my butt off contributing to an industry I really didn’t believe in, I managed to save some cash. Only later I understood that time is way more valuable than money and the freedom of movement is what you really need to get going. For all of the people that tell me: “you are so lucky, I wish I could travel!” my only advice would be to put yourselves out there and make a move. If you don’t, there will be a day when you regret dreaming more than doing.

Put yourselves out there and make a move.

I consider myself a very lucky person for finding Ashray, the perfect travel companion. He keeps me entertained, inspired and grounded. Traveling with your partner could be considered “the true test of true love”. If you can travel long term with each other and still be together by the end of it, there is definitely potential! I would recommend all lovers to travel out of their comfort zones to test how strong your connection can be.

Right now, I am enjoying life to the fullest and hope our articles, photos and videos inspire you guys to do the same… whether it’s traveling long or short term, go see the world and open up your mind. It will make you a better person!

A&Z in Brazil

Why we are different

It’s well known that the world is full of travel bloggers, traveling couples, travel guides, and more. So what makes our experience unique?

To put it simply, everything we are makes us different! We’re east meets west, yin and yang. Don’t get it?

We’re from India and Portugal. We grew up in our respective countries and we bring to the table a unique mix of eastern and western perspectives. Most travel guides, whether they are by westerners, for westerners. This creates a huge gap in perspective as well as challenges faced. A very simple example of our unique trials and tribulations is the famous [or should we say infamous ;)] Indian Passport. Unlike most people with USA/European/other-awesome-passports, the Indian passport is unique. It does not get you visa on arrival (or visa free entry) in most places. This becomes a great challenge for long term travelers. We deal with this and write about it and our experiences will help people who don’t possess such passports (most of Asia/Africa/etc.) travel with greater ease.

Another thing that makes us different from most travelers is that we do not have a home to come back to. We come from different sides of the world and, although we used to live in Dubai, we do not have a house over there any longer. So where are we going to settle next? We really don’t know. We’re seeing as much of the world as we can, before we decide on a new home.

That’s just the beginning of how our experience is very different from other travel writers. You could imagine that our perspectives on food, culture, etc. are specially unique as well!

Everything we own..

Our mission

We have traveled to more than 35 countries around Latin America, Asia, Europe, North America, Africa and the Middle East. As we make our way around the world, we want to take you with us through articles, videos, photos, music, and much more! We will be talking not only about beautiful places but also reflecting on things we observe and learn as we mingle with people wherever we go.

We want you to come piggy-back ride with us!

145 Comments

“That is if your new found paycheck doesn’t blind you to the obvious that’s all around you.
We decided that we didn’t want to be part of a society where living a lie is an everyday reality. So we took off!”

I’m just trying if I can comment on your website LOL! I’m so proud of you two, always. I haven’t been able to read all your posts until today. By the way, this is Rosario, the one with the cat who adopted a boy from Zimbabwe named Marshall, has a husband who usually asked Ashray about gadgets and stuff and we spent one Christmas in your apartment – if you guys does’t remember me at all, I don’t know what would work! -:) I am definitely going to Costa Rica, not this year though but next year (No inshaalah in this!)

Nice travel blog folks. I have an Indian passport and am all too aware of the vexing visa issues faced by us Indians. I would love to backpack across Latin America just like you folks, so thanks for all the info.
Also, I was looking into going to Belize for a diving trip, but the visa process for that country seems particularly frustrating. If you guys want a new challenge, I would suggest that you try Belize and show me the way.

Well… we left out Belize from our route for the exact same reason. Not only their visa policies make it complicated, they are quite racist in fact! Not only for Indians.. Chinese citizens, for example, would have to pay something like US2000 for their tourist visa (plus a security deposit of around USD4000) – how ridiculous is this?!

If you want great diving nearby, Mayan Riviera in Mexico is great! Not only you can dive in open sea, but also in “cenotes” (sinkholes in the floor with the most stunning surroundings). I don’t think Belize deserves Indian money getting inside their country.

iam inspired with your view of the world, ofcourse with an Indian passport. Though travelled a little in Brasil and Colombia during my temporary work permit days a year ago,now, following your advice to set off footloose from this week in South America.

You are so right… it is such a privilege to have found one another and share a passion for travel!
I read about way too many stories of people who end up relationships to travel as they can’t do both at the same time for differences with their partners. We do feel privileged! You’d know what I’m talking about if you’re doing the same! ;)

I am happy to have stumbled across your blog. I am also an Indian traveler who is looking to travel around the world on an Indian passport. Even I write the hassles of traveling on an Indian passport. So far I have been traveling alone :-) Congratulations on your marriage and hope to meet both of you some day in India or around the world. Cheers and interesting travels.

I know how you guys feel about traveling without having an home to go back to. I travel with my partner Dale and we have a background similar to yours.
I’m Italian and Dale is English. I moved to the UK years ago and it’s where we met. We left the UK and have been traveling for one year and we don’t own much anymore a part from our travel gear and little clothes that we take with us.
Like you guys we don’t have a place we could really call home and we aren’t ready to settle anywhere as yet, traveling is too much fun! :)

Nice to know you guys. I am a traveller by choice, like Sankar Subramaniyan, I am also lone traveller. I hope Sankar gives me a company., Z & A must be born for each other . As couples in daily life cross many paths in their Love Life, ZA, are crisscross crossing World, sharing their dreams, disappointments. God Bless them with Good Health, Wisdom and some wealth to carry out their dreams.

Love your guys blog! And I’m glad you guys touch on the subject of passports and visas, we have gone through (and still are) many hurdles just to get Yeison to the states and it’s been a nightmare. So many travel blogs are just from North American point of views and it’s refreshing to see a different one. Keep up the great work and you guys seem like a great couple! If you are in Costa Rica, drop us a note and we’ll get a drink :)

Hey Samantha!
Thanks for your nice comment!
We were actually in Costa Rica last year.. no idea when we’ll be back, but really had a great time over there eating yummy casados! ;)
Well.. happy travels and good luck with the visas!!

I am struck by how alike you are to my husband and myself, we are on a mission to see all 50 of the United States and we write a travel blog too. However we have not given up all our stuff or jobs though sometimes it would be nice! Happy travels and if you are looking for something to read follow us at http://www.blackcloudandworseluck.blogspot.com

Hi you guys!!! big salute to both of you, i have respect for this Indian boy, who properly used his Indian passport and live his life on his way, because i am an Indian and doing same as both of you doing, and a proper namstay to ZARA that you exploring the world as well, guys go on, because for some people travling is life.

Hi guys! I literally fell in love with this post! What I’ve just read is beautiful! I think you’re both extremly lucky to have found each other and I hope that same thing would happen to me one day (I mean, travel the world with the person I love the most) I wish the best of lucks (as we say in Argentina) for your trips and your life! And if someday you end up visiting Argentina PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

Muchas gracias Gonzalo!
We also think we’re lucky to have found each other! ;)
Last year we were SO CLOSE to Argentina and, after spending so much time in neighboring countries, never ended up making it there. But we knew if we didn’t visit Argentina then, it would be a great “excuse” to come to South America again very soon. So we might see you there in 2014!! Let’s keep in touch!
Cheers!

Ps.. There a A guy who made this beautiful way to make memories of places he travelled to by dancing in front of the monuments .. A funny dance …14 months in the making, 42 countries, and a cast of thousands who danced ” the happy dance” with him

Hi A&Z,
i like your story & your other travelogues ………. well contented & true in the sense…. especially on India.
one thing, would correct here on ‘Sex Up India’ YES we do have temples & Books on Sexual research. But why we lack it in present life……you might be aware about Islamic invasion in this beautiful land…..destruction came after that & we lost our values to Islamic way of life. Scared people covered themselves afterwards & it became part of their life generation after generation. you can ask it to A …Ladies had a right to choose their Husband in SAVYAMVAR (as been described in our holy books & Other epics)but Islam drastically effected it real life ….so now a days we are victims of arranged marriages.
anyways !
a lot to talk about but next time…….wish you great Journeys ahead.
beat of luck
Bharat

Thanks for your comment Bharat!
I had never thought about the arrange marriages in India having anything to do with Islam – as they are so prevalent in Hindu culture. I guess that’s a way of looking at it. I just wished people in India did give more importance to love (as in falling in love) and spiritual connection, independently of religion, castes, region of origin and all that stuff.. Bollywood idolizes falling in love and people dig the movies so much! Why not following the same principles in real life?!

Hi A & z
You guyz are amazing….yesterday night while surfing on youtube i found some ethopian boys are crazy about bollywood …really i amaze i saw all your post…really hatts off for your work…i wish i could join you guyz some day …

I have been in dubai for 6 months and got my self bored. i read about ur blog regarding dubai and i was fascinated by the truth you mentioned in ur blog. I came to dubai only to work for my family. I realized on ething “Money is not everything”. Few more months i will save cash and start travelling around. May be i would do what u guys are doing but i need a few years to do so. Would you suggest Oman, Turkey, Bangkok to start off? Anyways, you guys are doing a great job. Continue ur great work.

Hi Wielbert.. as you say, money is not everything! We have met so many expats in Dubai who left their countries to work and raise money for their families.. while in some cases it was an act of desperation, in many others it was a case of people wanting to make more money to have a more comfortable life. These people will make money to send back home to their family but, in so many cases, spend years without their spouse, not see their kids grow up, loose touch with other friends and family.. so one has to really consider what is worth it, and what is not.

We have only traveled to Oman, Turkey and Thailand, but never lived there as such, so it is difficult to advice you. Wherever you go (amongst these 3) is probably better than Dubai. Wishing you all the best! :)

Hey Zara, thanks for leaving a comment at my website! I can see now why said you’re glad to be born just in time to work online. I’m seriously fascinated that Ashray made his first website when he was 13. That’s amazing!

Wow!!! I am truly inspired by the both of you. I have always wanted to travel. If anything it has been a dream of mine since the age of 13. I traveled to Tamil Nadu, India in 2012 which fueled my hunger to want to travel even more. Both you are motivating and encouraging to those of us who want to make our dreams come true! Safe travels and have plenty of fun :)

Thanks for being so honest and so inspiring. I just started both journeys of blogging and traveling alone having left my life. Feels is to find so many beauties who have done this, gives me strength in knowing that I am only as crazy as some others, not off the charts, sometimes it feels that way. Haha. Looking forward to exploring your posts on India which is where I am now.
~ blessings ~ gia

I loved the video and the places you travelled. the best part of the video was the last 25 seconds :)

I am planning to go to Equador-Inca trail and also do some hikes near La Paz, Bolivia. Equador mainly for Galapagos islands.

I have 2 questions:

(1)I was looking at the cruise prices for 4-5 days and they seem to be a bit expensive, but I found some info that if you make it to Puerto Ayora there is a high chance that you can get cheap deals. What was your experience in the islads? concerning the cruise deals?

(1) We didn’t take a cruise in the Galapagos, instead, we did “island hopping”, that is, going from island to island on day trips with tour companies and also on the regular transportation rides that take tourists and locals from one place to the other. You can indeed find last minute deals for cruises once in Puerto Ayora.. but depending on the time of the year, I understand that it can take more or less days of waiting around.. if you have the time, then great.. otherwise, it’s probably better to book in advance or explore the Galapagos by “hopping” around like we did. See here what we did: http://bkpk.me/island-hopping-the-galapagos-part-14-puerto-ayora/

(2) We didn’t do any hikes near La Paz, so sorry can’t recommend anything. Give our Travel Blog Search a try and you might be able to find some other fellow bloggers’ suggestions: http://bkpk.me/travel-blog-search/

You guys are simply awesome! I landed on your page by chance when I was looking for Cuban visa on an Indian Passport. Are you serious? I really don’t need any visa from India? Cause my travel agent sure gave me a big fat quote :0

I dont have a blog but love travelling beside my full time boring job. I made it 8 times abroad last year and it is a secret better guarded than the recipe of Coca cola as to how I manage to do so with the kind of peanuts I earn.

Other than that – you guys are awesome! Please mulitply make bazillions of kids and grandkids, so the world is full of awesome people like you.

“bazillions of kids and grandkids”??!! oh boy, THE PRESSURE! ;)
Thanks for stopping by, Bharti! We’re happy to read you’re enjoying Backpack ME and we hope you stick around for a long, long time! Cheers!

I have just read your intro so don’t yet know much about you.
However, Ashray say’s he is a entrepreneur having created the one of the biggest gaming sites in the world.
Does this site provide the revenue that enables you to travel so freely.
It seems you advocate travel but I find this is very easy to do when you have the unreserved means.
Zara, what is your contribution to this freedom.

Our intro is exactly that… an “intro”, not our mémoires.
Of course Ashray’s site provides income to fund our travels, same as the other projects we work on do. There is no difference between this kind of work and other “regular” jobs – work funds whatever expenses one might have in life. The advantage for us is that we can take work on the road and, as long as we have an internet connection, keep on working. We both work remotely, not only Ashray.

We do not have “unreserved means” to travel as you assume in your comment. We work, just like anyone else in this world and the fact that our job is not a typical 9-5 office gig doesn’t make it any less valuable.. On the contrary, I can’t tell you how rewarding it feels to be your own boss!

We will keep on inspiring people to travel, that I can assure you. Some people might have to work harder than others to gather the money for it… but everyone has a way and we will keep on feeding Backpack ME’s followers wanderlust as much as we can!

Hey guys! I love your site and your story. first thing I thought about reading your “about” info was how beautiful your kids would be one day (Indian-Portuguese-Spanish mix, wow!)! Anyways I wish you happy travelling and I hope one day my blog is eligible for your traffic exchange (its on Blogspot domain).

Stumbled upon your website while surfing for latin american visa for indans, myself worked in dubai and stayed with family for 11 years, now back in Kolkata, India. Planning to make a tour of South America. Loved your threadbare reality and pray to God for all blessings upon both of you, very true and different from by westerner for westerner travel blogs/sites…

I came across your blog while checking up on options in Mexico & Cuba. And we really loved it.

Me and my husband love traveling and have spent the last 10 years visiting “different shores” and generally having fun. My husband has been heading a mid sized corporate entity in India and as he turned 50 has taken a long sabbatical to spend more time on what we love – travel & photography.

We plan to visit Mexico & Cuba in July maybe 7 to 10 days in each of these places. We love heritage, scenery , wildlife?? and fun.. We normally like to hire a car and drive around. To give you a perspective, Zara, last year we did a 24 days Spain – Portugal trip starting at Madrid, hired a car at the airport …Madrid on to Salamanca, Coimbra, Fatima, Lisbon, Albuferia, Seville, Cordoba, Malaga, Granada, Valencia and finally Barcelona. It was a great experience as we we right in time for the Lisbon festival.

As you have spent some time in Mexico & Cuba, I would really appreciate if you could advise us on
1. Places to visit in Mexico & Cuba ( I know 15 days is too short)
2. Is it possible to hire cars in Mexico & specially Cuba as not much is available on the net? is it OK? Will India driving licenses be ok
3. How are the vehicles and the drive, —-Safe??
4. Any other suggestions you may have

IT REALLY FEELS GREAT TO SEE PEOPLE LIKE YOU QUIT WORLDLY PLEASURES & TRAVEL THE WORLD. NICE TO GO THROUGH YOUR BLOG. I AM ALSO A SMALL TIME TRAVELLER FROM ASSAM (INDIA). AS I AM DOING JOB NOW, I TAKE OUT TIME TO TRAVEL, AS AND WHEN I CAN. I HAVE TRAVELLED ALMOST WHOLE OF INDIA, BUT THERE ARE STILL MANY UNEXPLORED PLACES ON MY LIST. NOW I AM TRYING TO PUT MY EXPERIENCES INTO WORDS FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME. DO VISIT MY BLOG spectrum-of-life.com & GIVE SOME FEEDBACK. HOPE YOU WILL LIKE IT.

Zara, I found your comment “I am half Portuguese and half Spanish but, obviously, belonging to two countries wasn’t enough for me” to be very beautiful and witty! You guys have a great site, keep up the enthusiasm and keep on travelling :- )

Hi guys, I have just received a beautiful post card from Portugal (from you). It made me happy and inspire me to travel to Portugal. I keep visiting your website for your travel updates and tips. And yes, I always crib about my Indian passport. I have started traveling since 2008, visited 3 international and many domestic places. Your website inspires me a lot, thanks for all the information. All the best!

I’m very happy to read that you got our postcard from Portugal and that it might inspire you to visit my country! :)
Send us a photo of you and the card if you’d like.. we’ll put it in our little “wall of travel fame”, see here: http://bkpk.me/signup-for-the-monthly-bkpk-me-newsletter/

If you do decided to head to Portugal, you know who to ask for travel tips suggestions! ;)

Many things about you guys resonates with me. I’ve lived and worked in Dubai and also chucked my job to do all the things I never had the time for…travel being top of the list. I love Latin America and dream of seeing all the countries there before I leave this planet.

Excited about reading your posts but couldn’t wait to write to your guys and wish you a great time ahead. Will certainly be contacting you more once I start planning my next trip. More soon…Cheers

SUPER COOL couple running this blog. I was just hovering over all the page titles and saw the ‘Visa for Indians’ bit and was a bit surprised. I expected this to be a westerner-run blog as usual, and wondered what this extra India love is. Glad I ended up digging deeper. Loving your lifestyle!!

I have travelled a lot but have never found a website that helped Indians with travel advise, especially with the visa stuff, and you guys have nailed it! I have a similar story to yours except that my girlfriend is French :)

I also love your travel blogs and I’ll be visiting Cuba with my girlfriend soon! Keep up the good work!

Dear Ashray & Zara,
Thank you tons for the lovely postcard from Portugal! In the summer of 2013, when I visited Spain, I was in two minds about visiting Portugal since time was a constraint for me. Your posts since then have made me regret that enough, and next time I plan a travel thereabouts, I’m definitely not missing Zara’s home country (okay, one of two). Your blog is brilliant. Keep up the awesome work… it’s inspiring! :)
Hugs,
Amiya

Wow! that sounds really great. Hats off to you guys..!!
I’d like to do something like this myself. I’m Indian woman and did some short trips as single solo traveler to Germany, East Europe and Asia to 15 countries so far in last 4 years. I’m working in MNC but still manage to take atleast 2 or 3 short breaks in a year. Believe me its an refreshing experience.
I agree getting visas on Indian passport is rather an hassle as initially when my passport was blank I’ve 2 rejections each from UK & US. But still denials of visas didn’t discouraged me for my travel. I’m still continuing on travelling across globe…I’d even love to take long subbatical for it.
Keep travelling..!

Found your blog when looking up the Chilean visa process for Indian citizens. You guys are living my dream. It used to be a distant dream, then a few years down the lane dream, but now I think I’m pretty close to following right in your footsteps. Don’t want to spend the best years of my life in corporate drudgery. I think it’s time to take the plunge. So I’ll be hitting up your blog lots to plan my own travels. Thanks a bunch for this invaluable resource!

Welcome to the club! I’m happy to read that you’re “taking the plunge”. NOW is always the best time! And yeah, who wants to spend the best days of their lives contributing to the corporate world anyway, right? Please feel free to use and abuse Backpack ME and if you have any questions, we’re here to help.

Wow. Such an inspiring to read about you both. I loved your photo of ‘all that you own’. Hehehehe. Now will read all your travel experiences.
I also loved the USP that you spelt out – Indian passport. Now I know where to check for planning aspects related to visa for an Indian passport holder:)

Hey Ashray! Glad to know a fellow Bitsian is flying high! Love from the BPD community. The stuff you both are doing is something truely beautiful and inspirational, especially when I’m being a frugal traveller myself!

“We decided that we didn’t want to be part of a society where living a lie is an everyday reality. So we took off!” -very well said.
Keep it up and goodluck!

True Citizens of the World! Really enjoy your Tweets and will RT them often. If only world leaders could do what you do there would be an immediate understanding of how real human beings live, human life would be more valuable rather than expendable and the sound of egos deflating would be deafening! You hold the answer to understanding why we are on this planet. happy travels to you both – from the New Forest UK

In fact geography of your travels is rather standard. It covers a mix of territories of ethnic+political+historical+cultural origins of both of you (for the latest 1000 years or so) with addition of some standard touristic locations.

It looks rich and wide only from the first sight, and only for people who don’t know history and geography.

Considering that both of us come from different sides of the world and you mention “the latest 1000 years or so”, I’d say our coverage it’s not that bad!! ;) In any case, we’ve been doing this for 3 years, and it is certainly just the beginning!

Hope your gaming website keeps on being awesome so you can spend all your life travelling the world! It would be so great to quit my job and travel full time. I’d especially be interested in TEFL teaching English as a foreign language and other fun volunteering projects.

Im really amazed with your Incredible Journeys all over Latin America and various different places. I do believe the adventure is quite biggest experience in the life. I would definitely love to join you guys and subscribing you up now. Youtube videos are really fantastic.
As about me, been to Argentina and Brazil, after a long time living in Australia but honestly, Nature what South America has is astonishing and hoping forward for some more adventure in coming months. Yes I do speak Portuguese fluent and Spanish basics too, would love to hear from you guys.
Have fun Ashray and Zara!!
Hugs!
Akash

wow amazing energy you guys spread with those awesome vibes of yours! adoro o vosso site e a maneira como encaram a vida! I wish you happy travels and all the best. any time near south Morocco please join me for a cup of mint tea! Abraço desde Marrakech!

Hi Ashray & Zara,
Your site and the you tube videos is so enjoyable and at the same time so informative..For example, I never knew that Bollywood was popular among people in Ethiopia… Everything is so awesome.. just tell me how many countries have you visited so far and how many are left ???
Anyways, good work.. keep it up..

Hi Anurag,
We’re happy you’re enjoying Backpack ME and our Youtube channel.
You can see more details about the countries we’ve been to on our Travel Map: http://bkpk.me/travel-plans/ And still maaaany left to visit! ;)
Cheers!

I love to see the passion you both carry to see the world. I was wondering, many keeps the dreaming of exploring the world (including me), but how does dream gets fulfilled in terms of finances, from where money come. We are not a rich person.

Many thanks Rajiv!
The first thing would be to save up money. Cut on little luxuries of daily life.. to then treat yourself big time. If you can also make a living on the go (like we currently do), then even better!

just wondering…do you guys have any plans of settling down anytime? kids, job? What will you do when you get older? Traveling sounds amazing, but I don’t think I could spend my entire life doing something like that.

Hi Nancy!
We will eventually have a base yes, even if we would like to keep on traveling often. This would most likely happen when we do have kids. On the job front though, we already have jobs! It’s just that we do not need to go to an office to do them, and rather work with a self-managed schedule.
Different phases in life involve different life-styles indeed… we shall adapt as we go!